Centrifugal clutch for spindles



Nov. 20, 1951 c. H. WHITE 2,575,776

CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH FOR SPINDLES Filed March 22, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 ('HALME/es H. WHITE. F: 9- 4 BY ZQ/ W' 51W ATTORNEYS I 1951 c. H. WHITE CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH FOR SPINDLES 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 22, @950 INVENTOR; ('HALMeR H. WHITE.

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,575,776 CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH FOR SPINDILES Chalmers H. White, Greensboro; N. 0. Application March 22, 1950, Serial No.'151 ,063

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to spindles of a type such as are used on spinning frames, twisting frames, and the like, and more especially to a centrifugal clutch adapted to be associated with a spindle on which a bobbin or tube is adapted to be mounted and for securing the tube on the spindle upon rotation thereof. I It is well known, to those familiar with the art, that the majority of wooden bobbins and all paper tube bobbins are secured on the spindle blade or cone let-on of a spindle by a tapered fit in order that upon rotation of the spindle blade, like rotation will be impartedto the bobbin or tube carried thereby. However, upon a doffing operation, it is the usual practice for an operator to grasp the bobbin to stop rotation thereof and to then'lift the bobbin or paper tube off the blade. In many instances, the paper tube or bobbin may stick to the cone let-on or the blade, as the case may be, to such an extent that it is necessary to stop the spinning frame and to strike the lower end of the bobbin or paper tube with a blunt instrument in order to remove the bobbin or tube from the spindle.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved means for mounting the paper tube or wood bobbin, as the case may be, on the rotatable portion of a spindle, such as the blade or cone let-on, in such a manner that a tapered fit between the paper tube and the blade of the spindle is unnecessary and including means for frictionally engaging the interior of the paper tube adjacent its upper end upon rotation being imparted to the rotatable portion of the spindle so as to transmit like rotation to the paper tube. On the other hand, immediately upon cessation of rotation of the rotatable portion of the spindle, the means on the rotatable portion of the spindle engaging the interior of the paper tube will be relaxed to thus permit the tube to be easily removed from the blade.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved spindle for spinning frames and the like comprising a fixed bolster case adapted to be secured to the bolster rail of the spinning frame and having a rotatable blade mounted thereon provided with a centrifugal clutch adjacent the upper free end thereof. This centrifugal clutch is provided with means for collapsing or contracting the same when the blade is stationary so that a paper tube or bobbin may be freely mounted on the blade, and upon rotation being imparted to the blade, the centrifugal clutch will expand and engage the interior of the paper tube adjacent the upper end thereof so as to impart 2 i like rotation to the paper tube. Upon stopping rotation of the blade for doffing purposes, the centrifugal clutch again contracts thus permit ting freedom of movement of the paper tube in removing the same from the blade. There are many spindles in use which are provided with a rotatable whorl having a blade pro jecting upwardly therefrom and the whorl has a tapered portion, usually termed'a cone let-on, integral with and also projecting upwardly therefrom and surrounding the lower portion of the blade and this tapered portion of the whorl is adapted to receive the internally tapered lower end of a wood bobbin. Many plants which have been using this type of wood bobbin may desire to change to the use of paper tubes, the internal diameter of which is substantially greater than that of the wood bobbin.

It.is;-therefore, another object of this invention to provide first and second adapters which may be mounted on the whorl and blade, respectively; of the type spindle previously described, the first adapter beingadapted to fit over the upwardly projecting tapered portion of the whorl to provide a shoulder for supporting the lower end of the paper tube and the second adapter being provided with a centrifugal clutch of the type heretofore described and being adapted to be mounted on the upper end of the relatively small blade for holding the paper tube of relatively, larger internal diameter on the blade on which the second adapter is mounted.

Some of the objects-of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection With the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of the improved spindle with parts broken away and showing the same ino'unted'o'n'a portion of a bolster rail and also showinga paper tube type of bobbin mounted thereon; a

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional plan View of the centrifugal clutch taken substantially along the line 22 of Figurel and showing the clutch in contracted position;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the centrifugal clutch in expanded position. Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the upper end of the spindle taken substantially along the line 4-4 in Figure 1 and showing the centrifugal clutch in contracted position; Figure 5- is an elevation similar to Figure 1 but showing a modified form of the invention and in eludingthe adapters for increasing the size of 3 a spindle of the type usually employedin association with a wood bobbin and one of the adapters including a clutch of the type shown in the original form of the invention.

Figure 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken through Figure but showing only the adapters and the paper tube bobbin in cross section, the bolster, whorl and blade of the spindle being hown in elevation- Referring morespecifically to the drawings, the numeral'lfl designates a spindle of a type such as is used on spinning frames, twisters and the like and which comprises a bolster case I which slidably penetrates a bolster rail lrg,ionly=a .por-- tion of which is shown in cross section in Figures 1 and 5. The bolster case M lasecure'ddnthe bolster rail l2 by'a lock washer; l3 and: anutv l4, the bolster case having an enlarged annular portion i5 integral therewith which is secured against the upper surface of the bolster rail l2 by the "nut l4 being .threadably mounted :on the bolstercase I. The spindle |.0 isizprovided with a'suitable L--shape'd doffersguard holder: [6' having a do'f fer guard |1'| mounted for sliding-movement therein,:this,- dofferguard being, adapted to-move out of the vertical planerof a whorli for removing" the whorl'a-nd its bladel l. from:the bolster I The-"dofier guard l1 is provided ::to restrict upward movementof the whorlJZO in the eventof' abobbin sticking to a-bladei2 lcuponzbe-i ing removed therefrom.

The whorl 20 and-thebla'de zl constitute part's of 4 the present invention; :"Ihe' manner of -mount- .ing the" blade 2 liin thewhorl 20 and in the bolster case-ll with respect to each other is roan-vent tional and an illustration or description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

The whorl 2|! is conventional with .the exception that it is provided with an enlarged. portion 22 to form a shoulderls at: its juncture with' the lowerportion'ofthebladeZl. 'Thepurpose of this shoulder- 23 is to support the lower endfofxa bobbin,- such-as a paper tube bobbin 25-shown in Figural. Since-most paper tubes-are-substantially the same length; by supporting the .lower ends of the tubes'25 on a shou1der=23 disposed the same distance above the 'whorllon 1a iipluralityz. of

' spindles of the typeshown in Fig-urel1,tit is'thus seen that the tube'r25 on each of a.plura.1ity :of spindles will be. disposed at 'thersame elevation. thus insuring that the yarn'woundi onto. the paper tube bobbins 25 will be distributed over-a similar areaof each .ofthe' paper tubebobbins 25,.

it will'be. noted in Figure lithat the blade-:21

isitapere'd substantially itsientire. len th; this ta per beingngreateriper" foot :thanthe internal: taper of the paper -1tube; bobbin125. :The conventional papertubebobbin 25has a metallic ferrule 252a13: the lowereend thereof-sandal similar; ferrule 21 :at'zthe rupp r endathereof, the errule.21 re-= stricting the upper end of the tube 25. The blade 2 I has an: enlarged portion at ..the l ppflniend thereof,'which,:.a1th0.u h1 i is larger-than: the 9- per.,a.end:of the-.taperedpertionof the blade 2 I ,is

of substantially less diametertha-n the-lowerend 4 portion 31, of substantially the same diameter as the enlarged portion 35} is provided which is also an integral part of blade 2| and the portions 30 and 31 are spaced apart from each other adja- 5 cent opposed ends of the restricted portion 35 thus forming a circumferential groove in which the clutch segments 34 have sliding movement. The restricted portion 35 of the blade 2| between the enlarged portions 30 and 31 is provided with 10 ,a plurality of equally. spaced radially extending bores 4|] in which guide pins 4| have radial sliding movement.

Each of the pins 4| is provided with a re- :.stricteipnrtion-42tto the outer end of which the 15 corresponding clutch shoe 34 is secured by any suitable means such as a screw 43. Each of the .-segments.34..is;.provided with a groove 45 in the outer surface thereof, the grooves 45 in the shoes F 34acoinoiding to form a peripherial groove around 20 the assembled segments 34 in which an endless coiled, -:spring 46:. is mounted. pThis :coiled spring 46: .tendsi-to' urge the :segments 34 ,against semicircular strap members, or. travel limit bands .48 and '49 which-are secured tothe restricted. portion 35 of: the blade 2 by: any suitable meanssuch as screws. 50. :These' semicircular. members .48 and 49 are slidably penetrated by-therestricted portion 1-42: of: the; guide'pins 4 Land are provided to restrict outward "movement of the clutch shoes 34 byvirtueof. the; shoulder formedby the ,enl gediportions-Al; engaging the inner suriacejof theycorresponding; semicircular .members '48 ..or eilfintheevent voirrotation bein imparted tolthe blade- 54 .in the absencenfa tube .or bobbinaencircling-thematic 2 r :jIt is:evidentthat, upon" a.;bebbi-n. such as the paper tubem25' being placed: over the blade2 has shownin Figures "1, -2 and 4, the blade 2| would beistationary and theclutch shoesq34 would be ind-the position shown in Fi ure .2. :However, uponrrotation being imparted to therblade 2|, the clutchJshoeskM- will? move to 1 the expanded positionshown:inrFigure .3 Icy-centrifugal force and will engage the interior surface Qfltheatube 25 tofrict-ionally .hold the tube125 sojthatrotation ofithe blade 2| will cause like rotationato be transmittedto thestube 25. n Referring-tola' igure 5' there is shown a spindle designatedatfil! and the structure :of the bolster case'thereof is identical to the-bolster case and associated-parts shown in Figure 1. The parts. of the spindle fill which :arev identical to those of the-spindle l 'fl wilrbearthe same referencecharacterswith the-prime notation added. The-'spindle 'fiii; in Figure 5,1 has a .conventional whorl zll' and a conventional tapered blade 2| mounted f orrotation' in the usual manner thereon; the whorl 20'- being providedwith a. tapered upwardly extending cone letson portion, 6 and is substantially smaller relative to the tube :25 thanthe blade. 2 in Figure. 1,.relative-tothe tube 25; the tapered; cone. let-0n aportion 126| ofthe. whorl:2fland the blade 2| in; Figure 5,gbe ing of i asizerrelativczto the tube:2 5..usuallyprovided:for

reccptioniofa' wood. bobbin or forasubstantiallr the: tube would frictional-11y engage the tapered portion fil-of the whor1 2ll.'. .Now, in order that it will be observe'd that the blade 2| in Figurefi.

a thebladeZ andthe whorlzfl. may housed-witha tube of the comparative size shown in Figure 5, there is provided a whorl adapter broadly designated at 65 and a blade adapted broadly designated at 66, the configuration of the interior of the whorl adapter 65 being substantially the same as the configuration of the exterior of the upper portion of the whorl 20' in Figure so as to provide a tapered fit between the adapter 65 and the cone let-on 6 I.

The whorl adapter 65 comprises an annular base portion and a restricted portion 10, the diameter of the restricted portion 10 being less than the internal diameter of the lower end of the paper tube bobbin 25' so that this portion 10 merely serves to position the lower end of the paper tube bobbin 25'. The whorl adapter 65 is provided with a tapering upper portion H to assist in positioning the lower end of the paper tube bobbin 25 on the whorl adapter 65, the annular portion 61 serving to support the lower end of the paper tube bobbin 25'.

It is well known, by those familiar with the art, that the blade 2| of a spindle of this type is tapered, gradually increasing in diameter from the top to the bottom thereof, and the blade adapter '66 has a tapered longitudinally extending bore 14 therein which is tapered to provide a tapered fit between the blade adapter 66 and the blade 2|. The upper end of the blade adapter 66 is identical in structure to the upper end of the blade 2| shown in Figure 1 and those parts in Figure 5 which are identical to the parts shown in Figure 1 shall bear the same reference characters with the prime notation added and a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

It is thus seen that I have provided an improved spindle for spinning frames and the like including a centrifugal clutch in the upper portion of the blade thereof and providing means whereby a paper tube bobbin or bobbin of similar internal dimensions may easily be placed on or withdrawn from the blade and, upon rotation being imparted to the blade, the centrifugal clutch will be effective in holding the paper tube bobbin so that like rotation will be imparted thereto.

The fact that the centrifugal clutch 32 is disposed closely adjacent the upper end of the blade 2| in Figure l, or above the blade 2| in Figure 5, will insure that the clutch shoes 32 will engage the bobbin 25 adjacent the upper end thereof and will thus minimize the possibility of the bobbin 25 flying off the upper end of the blade 2 I, or the blade adapter 66 in Figure 5 upon rotation being imparted thereto.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and although specific terms are employed they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claim.

I claim:

An improvement in a centrifugal clutch for a spindle having a blade adapted to carry bobbins for spinning frames and the like, said clutch characterized by said blade having a reduced portion intermediate its ends defining a circumferential groove and having a plurality of circularly arranged segmental clutch shoes slidably mounted in the circumferential groove and also having resilient means normally urging the segmental clutch members towards the axis of the spindle, said improvement comprising a corresponding pin for each of the segmental clutch members mounted for radial sliding movement in the reduced portion of the blade, a relatively thin annular band secured to the periphery of said reduced portion, each of said pins having a reduced outer end portion slidably penetrating said band and means securing the segmental members to the reduced outer end portions of the corresponding pins whereby rotation of the spindle will cause the segmental members to move outwardly and frictionally engage the interior surface of the bobbin to thereby impart like rotation to the bobbin from the blade.

CHALMERS H. WHITE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

